General Description

Cream or yellow coloured wings with a dark, scalloped band running across the wings about two thirds of the way down. The lower edge of the band is more strongly scalloped than the upper edge. Closer to the head (about one third of the way down the wings) is a paler, scalloped marking. The moth rests with wings outstretched. The female is larger and has less strongly marked, but broader, wings. Wingspan 5-7.5 cm; from head to tip of abdomen about 2.5 cm. Caterpillars very hairy; variable in colour but the most spectacular ones are black above with red on either side and long tufts of white hairs down the middle of the back and along each side.

Biology

Adults of this moth species have no mouthparts and don't feed. They lay oval eggs and the caterpillars feed on a wide variety of eucalypts.

Distribution

Queensland to Tasmania and South Australia, including throughout Victoria.

Habitat

Found in forests and woodlands.

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